Sport training device

ABSTRACT

A sport training device is disclosed for adding a defensive presence in the practice sessions of offensive basketball players. The device includes a mobile base supporting a pair of upright members. A roller is mounted between the members and carries a web which, when deployed, extends between the upright members, a preselected distance. Fasteners on the web and the upright members allow the free end of the web to be attached at a point along the upright members which may be desired. The uprights in one example, are provided in multiple telescoping sections. The roller may be made readily removable to exchange one roller and its associated graphics content, with another.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of sports training devices and in particular to training a player to shoot baskets in the presence of a device realistically simulating a defender.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Various devices have been proposed for simulating defensive players, presenting an impediment to a player shooting a basket. It has been found desirable to make an offensive player's practice session more realistic. After mastering the ability to shoot a basket from a particular position, a player would benefit from practice which introduces the element of a defensive presence impeding the player's shot. Such training devices are intended to teach a player, through repetitive practice, how to shoot baskets with a relatively higher arc than is required in a “free” style. Included among the known training devices are static barriers which are positioned between a player and the basket. Examples of such devices are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,800,291; U.S. Pat. No. 5,816,951; and U.S. Design Patent No. 321,370. U.S. Pat. No. 5,160,138 mounts a barrier for rolling motion in lateral directions, and tethers the barrier to the player to move with the player. U.S. Pat. No. 3,552,749 provides a windmill-like feature added to a wall-like barrier. A number of arrangements have also been proposed which add the feature of arm-like protrusions which can be raised in a vertical direction to simulate the raising of a defensive player's arms. Examples of such arrangements include U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,675,921; 5,527,185; 4,989,862 and 3,592,470.

Despite such devices, the need still exists for a mobile training device which is readily deployable and which can be easily modified to maintain a player's interest and to add variety to a player's training schedule.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a novel and improved sport training device in which a pair of uprights are secured at their bottom ends to a base having rollers or other arrangements for rendering the base moveable about a practice surface. In one example, the base is provided with rollers which are lockable to maintain the device in a stationary position. A roller carrying an elongate web is mounted between the uprights so as to be suspended for dispensing a web wound about the roller. The uprights are provided with a spaced apart series of attachments to secure the free end of the web at various positions. In one example, the uprights are comprised of multiple sections telescopically insertable one in the other.

In another example, a sport training device comprises a base with a pair of spaced-apart uprights upwardly extending from the base. A plurality of spaced-apart attachment members are carried on the uprights. A dispenser is carried on one of the base and the uprights. A web is stored with the dispenser and is moved to a deployed position with the web extending along the uprights. The web has a free end with attachment members at the free end engageable with the attachment members carried on the uprights so as to releasably hold the free end of the web at a preselected position along the uprights.

In yet another example, a sport training device comprises a base with a pair of spaced-apart uprights upwardly extending from the base. A first plurality of spaced-apart attachment members is carried on the uprights. A web extends along the uprights. A second plurality of attachment members is carried on the web. The first and the second pluralities of attachment members is interengageable with one another so as to releasably hold the web between the uprights.

In a further example, a sport training device comprises a base with a means for rolling the base about a support surface. A pair of spaced-apart uprights upwardly extends from the base. Each upright comprises a plurality of sections telescopically insertable one within the other. A plurality of spaced-apart attachment members is carried on the uprights. A roller is carried on the uprights. A web is stored on the roller and moves to a deploy a position with the web extending along the uprights. The web has a free end with attachment members at the free end engageable with the attachment members carried on the uprights so as to releasably hold the free end of the web at a preselected position along the uprights.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sport training device illustrating aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the sport training device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows the sport training device of FIG. 1 with the web deployed;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the sport training device of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the sport training device.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The invention disclosed herein is, of course, susceptible of embodiment in many different forms. Shown in the drawings and described hereinbelow in detail is the preferred embodiment of the invention. It is to be understood, however, that the present disclosure is an exemplification of the principles of the invention and does not limit the invention to the illustrated embodiments.

For ease of description, sport training devices embodying the present invention are described hereinbelow in their usual assembled position as shown in the accompanying drawings, and terms such as front, rear, upper, lower, horizontal, longitudinal, etc. may be used herein with reference to this usual position. However, the sport training device may be manufactured, transported, sold or used in orientations other than that described and shown herein.

Referring now to the drawings and initially to FIG. 1, a sport training device 10 is shown in position, during a practice session. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the sport training device 10 is shown positioned between a player 12 and basket 14. Thus, as illustrated, a player needs to put more arc on his shot in order to clear the top of the sport training device 10. Sport training device 10 includes a base 20 and a pair of uprights 22 which extend upwardly from base 20 and have upper free ends 24. Preferably, the uprights 22 have a circular cross-section although virtually any cross-sectional shape can be employed such as rectangular and I-shapes. Base 20 is provided with rollers or wheels 28, so as to roll about a surface 32 and handles 56 are provided to locate the sport training device from one location to another. Preferably, wheels 28 are selectably lockable. Base 20 can have virtually any shape desired such as circular, rectangular or elliptical.

As can be seen in the bottom left corner of FIG. 2, the lower ends of uprights 22 are threadingly engaged at 34 to base 20. Although uprights 22 are shown threadingly engaged with base 20, virtually any securement arrangement can be employed to secure the bottom ends of the uprights to base 20. For example, a twist-lock arrangement can be employed as well as a plug and socket arrangement. Uprights 22 can be made of virtually any suitable material such as solid or hollow metal or plastic, for example. Base 20 can be either hollow or solid and made of plastic, metal or other material as may be desired. It is generally preferred that base 20 have a mass serving as a ballast for the upright members. Accordingly, if base 20 is made hollow, it is generally preferred that the base be made fillable with sand, water, concrete or other ballast material. If desired, a lateral member can be provided to secure the upper ends 24 of uprights 22 to help maintain the preferred, parallel orientation of the uprights.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a web dispenser or roller 40 is suspended between uprights 22. As shown in the figures, roller 40 is suspended at the bottom ends of uprights 22, although the roller could also be suspended at or near the upper end of the uprights, if desired. Mounted on roller 40 is a web 42 which preferably contains a one or more graphics 44. Web 42 can be made of virtually any flexible material such as plastic or cloth or a hybrid composition of those and other materials. For example, web 42 could comprise an open mesh fabric screen to which the graphics are applied, thus allowing the player to “look around” the graphics. Preferably, roller 40 is spring-loaded so that web 42 can be readily retracted with winding about the roller for storage.

When deployed, as shown for example in FIG. 3, the free end of web 42 is attached to uprights 22, at a desired position. For example, uprights 22 may be provided with a series of eyes 48 providing attachment points for web 42. If desired, the hook and eye members of the web and uprights could be interchanged one for the other. Other fastening devices such as snap fasteners, hook and loop fasteners, turn buckles could be employed as well. In one example, the web dispenser can comprise a receptacle such as a box and the web can be folded (e.g. with accordian folds) for storage in the receptacle. If desired, the dispenser can be omitted, with the web being hung between the uprights.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1- 3, uprights 22 are provided with multiple sections 52. If desired, more than two sections can be employed for each upright. In the preferred embodiment, it is generally desired to attain a height of 15 feet and it has been found convenient to employ multiple sections for each upright to provide the necessary height for attachment of the upper end of web 42. Virtually any type of telescopic locking system can be employed for the sections of uprights 22, such as locking collars 53. In another example, overlapping sections can receive a common locking pin or one section can be provided with indents while the other section is provided with a spring-loaded locking member.

Preferably, the ends of roller 40 are made releasably securable to uprights 22. In this manner, webs carrying different graphics can be readily exchanged one for the other, to maintain a player's interest over prolonged hours of practice. Virtually any quick-release arrangement can be employed. For example, one end of roller 40 can be provided with a pin-like projection received in one upright 22 while the other end of the roller can be provided with a spring-loaded pin which can be released to extend through the other upright and retracted to remove the roller, as desired. Alternatively, roller 40 can be permanently or semi-permanently installed and different webs can be secured to the roller using hook and loop fasteners or snap fasteners, for example. Although the figures show a continuous web extending to the full height, it should be understood that the present invention also contemplates webs divided into two or more sections, one located above the other to form a continuous or near-continuous barrier.

The foregoing description and the accompanying drawings are illustrative of the present invention. Still other variations and arrangements of parts are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. 

1. A sport training device, comprising: a base; a pair of spaced-apart uprights upwardly extending from the base; a plurality of spaced-apart attachment members carried on the uprights; a dispenser carried on one of the base and the uprights; a web stored with the dispenser, and movable to a deployed position with the web extending along the uprights; and the web having a free end with attachment members at the free end engageable with the attachment members carried on the uprights so as to releasably hold the free end of the web at a preselected position along the uprights.
 2. The sport training device according to claim 1 wherein the dispenser comprises a roller.
 3. The sport training device according to claim 2 wherein the roller is biased for rotation in a direction which winds the web about the roller.
 4. The sport training device according to claim 1 wherein the dispenser is mounted to the uprights, adjacent the base.
 5. The sport training device according to claim 1 wherein the dispenser is mounted to the uprights, remote from the base.
 6. The sport training device according to claim 1 wherein the dispenser is mounted to the base.
 7. The sport training device according to claim 1 wherein the uprights each comprise a plurality of sections telescopically insertable one within the other.
 8. The sport training device according to claim 1 wherein the dispenser comprises a roller which is removably secured to the uprights adjacent the base.
 9. The sport training device according to claim 1 wherein the dispenser comprises a roller which is removably secured to the uprights remote from the base.
 10. The sport training device according to claim 1 wherein the dispenser comprises a roller which is removably secured to the base.
 11. The sport training device according to claim 1 wherein the base is portable.
 12. The sport training device according to claim 11 further comprising wheels attached to the base for rolling movement across a support surface.
 13. The sport training device according to claim 11 further comprising rollers attached to the base for rolling movement across a support surface.
 14. The sport training device according to claim 11 further comprising handles carried on the uprights for moving the sport training device from one location to another.
 15. A sport training device according to claim 1 wherein the dispenser comprises a receptacle and the web is foldable for storage in the receptacle.
 16. The sport training device according to claim 15 wherein the web is folded with accordion folds.
 17. A sport training device, comprising: a base; a pair of spaced-apart uprights upwardly extending from the base; a first plurality of spaced-apart attachment members carried on the uprights; a web extending along the uprights; and a second plurality of attachment members carried on the web; the first and the second pluralities of attachment members interengageable with one another so as to releasably hold the web between the uprights.
 18. A sport training device, comprising: a base; means for rolling the base about a support surface; a pair of spaced-apart uprights upwardly extending from the base; each upright comprising a plurality of sections telescopically insertable one within the other; a plurality of spaced-apart attachment members carried on the uprights; a roller carried on the uprights; a web stored on the roller, and movable to a deployed position with the web extending along the uprights; and the web having a free end with attachment members at the free end engageable with the attachment members carried on the uprights so as to releasably hold the free end of the web at a preselected position along the uprights.
 19. The sport training device according to claim 18 wherein the roller is mounted between the uprights, adjacent the base.
 20. The sport training device according to claim 18 wherein the roller is mounted between the uprights, remote from the base. 